Sean Strickland has never been one to shy away from controversy or speaking his mind. But beneath the brash persona and aggressive fighting style lies a story of deep personal struggle—one that has shaped him into the fighter he is today. The former 185lbs champ has openly spoken about the trauma and abuse he endured as a child, revealing how it played a significant role in shaping his mindset and career. These painful experiences fueled the anger and defiance that would later define both his personality and his approach inside the Octagon.

His journey to the top of the middleweight division wasn’t just about talent—it was about survival. Fighting became his way to cope with the darkness of his past, providing an outlet for the emotions and pain that had built up over the years. Every victory inside the cage became more than just a win; it became a symbol of resilience. Ahead of his highly anticipated title rematch against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312, Strickland once again shared how his past continues to affect his self-esteem.

Speaking on ESPN MMA, he said: “Let me tell you the curse of being an abused kid. You are born with natural low self-esteem. Like it doesn’t matter what the f–k you do in life, you always look at yourself like a failure. I think it’s one of the curses of like having low self-esteem. Is just you know when you are a kid dude and you’re just a doormat your entire life. So every time I go in there it’s always like this moment of like you know do I really belong here? But I will fuck–g die for what I want.”

Strickland will need to be at his absolute best when he steps into the Octagon against the man who took his middleweight title. The South African is riding a wave of confidence and will be looking to extend his winning momentum. Like many fans, Dana White is eagerly anticipating this highly charged rematch. However, he believes ‘Stillknocks’ poses a serious threat to Strickland’s chances of reclaiming the belt.

Dana White weighs in on the daunting challenge Sean Strickland faces at UFC 312

Dricus Du Plessis is a fighter who defies expectations. On paper, his style shouldn’t be as effective as it is—yet time and time again, he proves the doubters wrong. While most fighters have clear strengths and weaknesses, Du Plessis’ game is incredibly difficult to break down. His awkward style, which would normally be glaring in other competitors, doesn’t seem to hold him back. Instead, he finds ways to adapt, overcome, and win, making him one of the most dangerous and exciting fighters in the UFC.

A huge part of Du Plessis’ success comes from his raw power, relentless offensive pressure, and indomitable willpower. But what truly sets him apart is his unpredictability—a quality that Dana White believes could cause serious problems for Sean Strickland. White has cautioned ‘Tarzan’ about Du Plessis’ unorthodox approach, emphasizing that his style is incredibly difficult to prepare for.

In a recent interview with The Mac Life, White shared his thoughts on the matchup, saying: “I don’t know if you figure him [Du Plessis] out. He’s got a very awkward style. I don’t know if you figured him out, we’re going to find out next Saturday. But Sean Strickland’s one of those guys too. His style of fighting, you know, the way that he sets his punches up, and you know, unbelievable jab. And I don’t know if you can really train, bring somebody in to mimic Du Plessis, he’s got a very awkward style.”

With both fighters bringing their own unique and unpredictable styles to the Octagon, this middleweight title showdown is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing fights of the year. Who do you think will come out on top? Drop your predictions in the comments below!